A timber-clad artists' studio extension to a former miller’s house in the Brecon Beacons National Park

A timber-clad studio extension to a stone and slate former miller’s house in the Brecon Beacons National Park received unanimous approval from the park’s planning committee.

It is part of a group of four buildings with stone walls and slate roofs: flour mill (c.1500), house, oat drying kiln and cowshed. In 1985 the current owner purchased the miller’s house and the kiln and in order to avoid enforcement of a demolition order. They have since repaired and refurbished the house. The house has been occupied by two successful artists for last ten years. This new extension of a studio provides additional working space for them.

The design of the studio reflects the slope of the ground around it, with its roof at the same angle as the adjoining wooded slope. An upper gallery floor is set back internally and cantilevered back to allow extra space over the sloping rock face behind. The lower level has high light levels and the upper level has more even north- and roof- light, with a close-up view of the flora and fauna on the rock face behind.

The roof has sedum planting and two large rooflights throw light down the internal walls either side, giving good non-directional light. The studio is linked to the existing house via a new entrance lobby and utility room. The link is set back from the road frontage.

A Welsh-designed lightweight and highly insulated “Ty Unnos” structural hollow-beam timber framing system was used and it has been clad externally with vertical timber boarding. The cladding, coupled with a green roof, means that the building fits into the wooded landscape. The building was constructed by a small local builder. As a result the success of the development is enhanced and the project is environmentally friendly, requiring minimal energy input.